Griffins coach Todd Nelson uncertain what future holds

GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Rapids Griffins coach Todd Nelson goes into the offseason with the strong support of the players and uncertainty between the AHL team and NHL opportunities.

Nelson, with two years left on his contract with the Griffins and the Detroit Red Wings organization, has made it known he would like to coach in the NHL and his name has popped up for the opening in Dallas.

Last year, he was a finalist for the position with the Arizona Coyotes after the Griffins won the Calder Cup.

But Nelson, in addressing the question Monday after the Griffins were eliminated from the playoffs, said he won't rush into anything.

"I'm not thinking too far ahead right now," he said after the Griffins lost Game 5 to the Manitoba Moose, 5-1. "I have to process what just happened. We have exit interviews with players and see where we're at. I'm sure I'll get feedback from management to see where myself and coaching staff is at. Once that's done, we'll see what happens.

"But, obviously, that's a goal of mine to move on. But if it doesn't happen, this is a great place to work. Fantastic people. Grand Rapids organization is fantastic to work with. The Wings are fantastic to work with. Like I said, I'm just going to try and process this."

Nelson, 48, has taken the Griffins to the playoffs all three seasons, going 22-11 with the AHL championship last season.

Add in his four full seasons with Oklahoma City and Nelson's teams have made the playoffs eight consecutive seasons.

The one exception was in 2014-15 when he left the Barons to become interim coach with the Edmonton Oilers for his only taste of the NHL. He went 17-22-7 in 46 games.

He has a 309-189-16-47 (.607) regular-season record in seven-plus seasons as an AHL coach, including 133-78-4-13 (.621) with the Griffins.

Nelson has been mentioned as a candidate to replace retiring Ken Hitchcock with the Stars. The general manager there is Jim Nill, the former assistant general manager with the Detroit Red Wings who oversaw the Griffins.

Alain Vigneault, formerly with the New York Rangers; Willie Desjardins, former coach of the Vancouver Canucks and Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Marlies have also been mentioned.

Players on the Griffins were deep in their praise.

"I came here originally to play for him again," said captain Matthew Ford, who played with Nelson in Oklahoma City. "He definitely deserves any attention he gets ... he gets the best out of every player."

"One of my favorite coaches in my life to play for," said Ben Street. "... I hope he gets a chance because I don't think there's a whole lot left for him to prove at this level. The whole staff is excellent."

"He lets us play," said second-year defenseman Joe Hicketts. "We play a very aggressive system, which is up my alley. It's a credit to him. We're one of the only teams in the American League that play that aggressive style hockey."

"He's a good coach and he's a good person, first and foremost and I think that's big in a coach,' said Matt Puempel, who came over from the New York Rangers organization in an early-season trade. "(His is) one of the few coaches I've had in my career that really takes the personal side and is really important to them and I really respect that."

The Griffins are expected to conduct exit interviews on Wednesday, at which time Nelson expects to also get feedback from management.

"Like I said, a lot of people counted us out and I pride myself (on making the playoffs)," he said. "I didn't want this to be the first time. We'll see what happens with my future. I still have a contract here, I like it here a lot, so we'll see what happens."